Highlights from the Monte Carlo Masters 2015

The Monte Carlo Masters kick started the clay swing and as usual the focus was on the big three with Murray choosing to opt out. In stark contrast to last year’s Monte Carlo Masters, Swiss Aces Stanislas Wawrinka and Roger Federer, who contested a stellar final in 2014, bowed out of the tournament in the third round this year.

Disappointing starts for Stan Wawrinka and Roger Federer

In better times: Federer and Wawrinka at Monte Carlo in 2014

Defending champion Wawrinka was packed off by Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets. Wawrinka, who was in fine form throughout 2014, has been a shadow of himself since the Australian Open early this January. Dimitrov made quick work of Wawrinka as he raced past him in straight sets.

Federer, who chose to skip the Miami Open last month in order to have a proper training block on clay did not seem to be ready to take advantage of the draw that had Nadal and Djokovic in the other half. He was ousted by the effervescent Clown prince Gael Monfils in straight sets: 6-4, 7-6.

Gael force hampered by Birdman

Gael Monfils at Monte Carlo 2015

Monfils, who had suffered an injury in Miami, seemed to be playing some of his best tennis with the wild card he was offered at Monte Carlo. After a match that featured two sets of pulsating tennis against Ukrainian Alexander Dolgopolov, the Frenchman seemed to have embodied the focus and commitment that have seemed to have been missing from his game. The Monfils –Dolgopolov encounter was arguably one of the highlights of the season.

Having beaten Federer on clay in their most recent Davis Cup encounter, Monfils made an uncharacteristic start when he was broken by Federer in the first set. Federer immediately let him off the hook as the former broke back to level the match at 3-3. From this point onwards, thanks to Federer’s slew of unforced errors – 38 of them, Monfils never looked back for the rest of the match. Federer was up a mini-break in the second set tie break but could not deliver the goods when it mattered the most. Monfils eventually fell to his nemesis Tomas Berdych, against whom he has a poor head to head record, in the semifinals.

Nadal bested by Djokovic

Bright talent: Meeting for the 43rd time

Things heated up in the other half as a potential semifinal clash between arch rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic seemed very likely. The road was harder for Rafa as he was stretched by John Isner and David Ferrer. Since his comeback from injury, Rafa has been a shadow of his former self. However, he showed that he still has a lot of tennis left in him as he regained some of his old mojo to edge past Isner and Ferrer in three set battles.

Djokovic, on the other hand, played some very efficient tennis and had a smoother path to the semifinals. He spent relatively less time on court compared to Rafa when they met for the blockbuster semifinals. The Djokovic juggernaut crushed Rafa as he won in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 to improve his head-to-head record against Rafa 20-23.

Up for the battle: Berdych rallies back

Up for the challenge: Berdych returning to Djokovic at the Monte Carlo Masters

In the finals, Djokovic awaited familiar foe Berdych against whom he was 18-2 head-to-head. Berdych, who has on more than one occasion been treated with bagels by the Serb, seemed like a man on a mission. Having gained confidence from his recent Australian Open performance where he beat Nadal for the first time in 18 meetings, Berdych started the finals by breaking Djokovic early in the first set to go up 3-1. Berdych quickly squandered the lead as his unforced errors spiralled out of control to bring Djokovic back on level terms. Djokovic reeled off four games in a row to lead 5-3 in the first set.

Dani Vallverdu, former coach to Andy Murray, who joined Berdych before the Australian Open, seemed to have been helping Berdych cope with the pressure. With Djokovic looking vulnerable and complaining about the clay being loose at his end of the court, Berdych broke back to level the first set at 5-5. The longer the rallies, the more they seemed to benefit Djokovic. Berdych, who for the most part had decided the outcome of the points in the beginning of the set with some clean winners, made far too many errors. Djokovic sealed the first set 7-5.

Not all easy for World No. 1

Djokovic had to dig deep to best Berdych.

Djokovic was clearly struggling a bit with his form and the back-to-back title hauls at Indian Wells and the Miami Open seemed to be taking a toll on him. More errors seemed to come from Djokovic’s relatively weaker wing – his forehand. The backhand seemed to be as solid as ever as he repeatedly pushed Berdych far beyond the baseline, then surprising him with deft back hand drop shots.

Berdych needed to be more tactically sound as he did not break down Djokovic’s forehand enough. With the weather already unfavourable, the rain added to the drama as both men left the court for a while. After the rain delay, Berdych seemed to have recouped as he bagged the second set 6-4.

Last laugh for Djoker

Novak Djokovic, winner of the Monte Carlo Masters 2015, with runner-up Tomas Berdych

In the decider, Djokovic proved why he is at the top as he found another gear just when it was required. He quickly raced to a 4-0 lead and yet another bagel loomed large for Berdych. Berdych avoided the bagel by putting up some resistance but it was too late for victory as Djokovic closed out the match 6-3.

By claiming his second title at Monte Carlo, Djokovic now has 23 Masters 1000 titles the same as Federer, and just four behind Nadal. He is also the first player to win the first three Masters 1000 titles in a season. The Serb has definitely been unstoppable since the beginning of this season and with two weeks to go before the next Masters event at Madrid, he will have rested enough to play more spirited tennis and probably add another title to his impressive resume.